Lock



June 24, 1930.

J. c. GREGORY 1,766,784

-Loox Filed June 13, 'i928 Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES .JOHN c. GREGORY, oF MiLEoRn, UTAH LOCK Application yfiled .Tune 13,

This invention relates to locks.

An object of my invention is'the provision of a lock having an improved type of actuating Vmechanism adapted toy be employed where it is desired to have a large number of similar keys by meansof which the lock may be released. Accordingly, the lock of my invention nds a particular field of utility in railroad service for such uses as switch locks l3,0 where it is desirable that a large number of persons be authorized to release the locks. Thus the keys may be distributed among a large number of trainmen so that any one of them can operate the lock and afterwards reset the lock so that unauthorized persons can not have access to the goods or mechanisms protected thereby.

Another object is the provision of a lock of the general character described,'which is exceptionally difficult to open without the proper key. The locks-now in common usage upon railroad switches have been found to be capable of being relatively easily broken `by a few `hammer blows. Accordingly, this object of my invention is accomplished because my improved lock mechanism is adapt- .,ed to be mounted in an exceptionally heavy housing, and'also is of such a nature that even when the `housing has been so battered as to collapse it upon the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism will still remain in that position which holds the lock closed.

`A further object is the provision of a lock as described, adapted to be, operatedby a key of such a nature that it can not be` readily duplicated. Practically all -locksmiths are provided with mechanism by means of which the keys for operating the switch locks now in general use may be duplicated; but the keys by which my locking mechanism may be actuated, are of such .a'peculiar configuration thatduplication thereof may be y accomplished only be means of-special machines, making it especially difficult for .unauthorized persons to become possessors of keys for operating the lock.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form ofthe 1928. serial No. 284,992.

invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. Itis to be understood that I do not limit my self to the showing made by the said drawings and description, as I may adopt Variations of thev preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

, lReferring to the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a padlock adapted to be securely retained in locked relationship by means of my improved locking mechanism. A portion of the housing is broken away and shown in vertical section to better disclose the nature of locking l85 mechanism. y

Fig. 2 is an-underneath plan view, the direction of View being indicated by the arrow 2 of Fig. ll.`

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view, the 70 `.plane of section being taken upon the line 3-,3 of Fig. 1, and the direction of view indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional view, the plane of section being indicated by the line 4 -4 of Fig. 1, and the direction of View by the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. l, showing the key inserted, but in that position which it occupies before being turned to release the locking mechanism; -A portion .of the Figure is broken away to reduce its length.

, Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional View, the plane of section being indicated by the line 6 6. of Fig. 5, and the direction of View by 85 the arrows.

Y Fig. 7 is aviewy similar to Fig.'6, but showing the parts inthe positions assumed thereby after the key has been turned sufficiently to withdraw the detent from cylinder-lock- 99 ing position.

Fig. 8 is a View similarto Figs'. 6 and 7, but showing the parts in the posit-ions assumed thereby after the key has been turned sufficiently far to rotatey the cylinder and withdraw `the bolt. n Flg. 9 is a perspective view ofthe key by which the lock may be opened.

I am aware that the locking mechanism of the present invention may be incorporated 100 into different kinds of locks such as the conventional door locks and padlocks, the only difference in construction which is necessary to adapt the mechanism to different uses, being the employment of a different t-ype of housing in each case. However, in any type of installation to which the locking mechanism is adapted, the principle upon which the mechanism operates is the same, and therefore the spirit of the invention is maintained throughout the various possible embodiments. For the purpose of illustrating the structural details and manner of operation of my improved locking mechanism, suffice it for the present instance to show and describe'my invention as forming the locking iechanism by means of which the shackle 11 of a padlock 12 may be retained in locking position in respect to the housing 13 until released by the operation of the proper key 14. Vith this type of padlock, it is conventional that one end 16 of the shackle 11 be pivoted by a pivot pin 17 to the housing 13. and that the other end 18 of the shackle 11 be receivable within a suitable aperture 19 let into the same side 21 of the housing 13 adjacent which the end 16 of the shackle 11 is pivoted.

My improved locking mechanism constitutes means for retaining the end 18 within the recess 19 against displacement by any other than authorized persons.

F or convenience of manufacture, the

. housing 13 may be composed of two complementary halves 22 and 23 rigidly and irremovably retained together by a plurality of rivets 24. This method of forming the housing 13 not only facilitates assembly of the lock, but also permits the formation of half of each of the various recesses necessary to be formed in that face of each of the halves 22 and 23, which is to be placed in abutment with the other half.

The locking mechanism comprises a bolt 26 slidable longitudinally within a complementary recess 27 which extends transversely of the housing 13 in register with the aperture 19, so that the bolt 26 may optionally be extended into the aperture 19 and through a similar aperture 28 in the end 18 of the shackle 11 to securely hold the shackle in locking position, or be Withdrawn therefrom to release the shackle. A spring 29 is under compression between the inner end 31 of the bolt 26 and the associated end of the recess 27 to urge the bolt to locking position, wherein it extends clear across the recess 19, through 'the hole 28 in the end 18 of the shackle 11, and into a socket 30 formed in the lopposite Wall lof the recess 19.

A cylinder 32 is revoluble'within a recess '33 extending perpend-ic-ularly to the recess 27 and enlarged a-teach end to provide cham- 'Ib'ers 34 .and 36 within which thejenlarged portions 37 and 38 respectively, of the cylinder 32, are revoluble. A plate 41 extends rigidly from the bolt 26 within the chamber 34 and perpendicularly to both the bolt 26 and cylinder 32; and a pin 42 is arranged eccentrically upon the enlarged portion 37 of the cylinder 32 in sliding engagement with that face of the plate 41 proximal to that end of the bolt 26 adapted to extend across the recess 19.

Thus it may be seen that when the cylinder 32 is turned, the engagement of the pin 42 with the plate 41 will cause the retraction of the bolt 26 from the recess 19 against the re siliency of the coil spring 29, and further, that the natural resiliency of the spring 29 will normally urge the bolt 26 and cylinder 32 to the positions occupied thereby when in locking relationship.

A portion 43 of the cylinder 32, extends beyond the enlarged portion 38 within the chamber 36,V this portion 43 being of reduced diameter. A detent 44 is carried by the portion 43 for movement transversely thereof within the chamber 36, this detent being conveniently formed of a rod slidable longitudinally within a suitable transverse aperture 46 within the reduced portion 43 of the cylinder 32, and of such length that when one end is flush with one side of the reduced portion'43, the other end may seat within a recess 47 in the opposite wall of the chamber 36, as shown on Fig. 1. A leaf spring 48 is carried by the cylinder 32, with one end bearing upon the detent 44 to urge it into its recess 47 to lock the cylinder 32 against rotary movement. A pin 49 extends laterally from the detent 44 to provide means for withdrawing the detent from its recess in a manner to be explained hereinafter.

Means are bprovided for turning the cylin- `der 32 after the detent 44 has been withdrawn from its recess. F or this purpose a transverse notch 51 is formed in the end of the reduced'portion 43. I have found that one convenient method of forming the notch 51 is to insert a pair of spaced pins 52 into the end of the reduced portion 43 to define a space therebetween which serves as a groove for the reception of a portion of the key 14 to rotate the cylinder 32.

In order to permit engagement of the key 14 with the cylinder 32, a keyhole 53 is provided, extending in axial alignment with the A cylinder 32 to the bottom side 54 of the hous- The key 14 is preferably of the barrel type, comprising a shank 58 of which at least the outer end 59 is hollow, the bore thereof being of such diameter that the Vend 59 may be inserted over the portion 43 of reduced diameter of the cylinder 32, as clearly shown on Fig. 5. A portion of the wall of the end 59 is relieved, leaving an aperture 61; and the detent-engaging web 57 extends laterally from the shank 58 from that side of the aperture 61 which follows as the key is rotated in unlocking direction. That face 62 of the web 57 is substantially inthe form of a spiral with the result that a relatively sharp edge 63 is formed between the face 62 and the bottom 64 of the web 57. This edge 63 is adapted to be forced between the detent pin 49 and the adjacent wall of the chamber 36 as the key is rotated to unseat the detent 44 from its recess 47 and withdraw it into the key and reduced portion 43 of the cylinder 32 against the action of the spring 48.

A second web 66 is provided upon the key 14 to be engaged within the notch 51 so as f to effect rotation of the cylinder 32 by rotation of the key 14. A convenient method of forming this notch-engaging web 66 is by securing a short length of rod within the bore of the shank 58 so spaced from the extremity thereof that it seats Within the notch 51 when the key is in that position in which the web 57 engages the detent pin49. lIhe web 66 is of less width than the notch 51, permitting a considerable degree of rotation of the key before rotation of the cylinder 32 is effected, so that withdrawal of the detent 44 may be effected before the web 66 engages the pins 52 defining the notch 51.

Vhen it is desired to withdraw the bolt 26 to permit the shackle 11 to be opened, the key 14 should be inserted into the keyhole 53 in such position that the web 57 may traverse the groove 56. The length of the shank 58 of the key 14 should be suoli that when the key 14 has been inserted into the keyhole the full length of the shank, the web 66 will be seated in the notch 51 and the web 57 will be `in register with the detent pin 49 as indicated upon Figs. 5 and 6. The key 14 should then be rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed upon Fig. 6, bringing the sharp edge 63 of the web 57 into engagement with the outer side of the pin 49. Upon continued rotation of the key 14 the spiral leading face 62 of the web 57, will force the pin 49, and with it the detent 44, inwards toward the center of the chamber 36, resulting in the` unseating of the detent 44 from its recess 47.

The aperture 61 in the wall of the key, permits the passage of the pin 49 therethrough into a recess 71 in the reduced portion 43 of the cylinder 32, so that the detent 44 may be positioned centrally within the recess 36, as clearly shown upon Fig. 7. NOW, as the key 14 is turned further, the web 66 is brought into engagement with the pins 52 delining the notch 51; and since the detent 44 has been withdrawn from its recess 47, the4 cylinder 32 may be turned by continued 'turning of the key 14, as shown upon Fig..8.

Thus the pin 42 carried upon the other end of the cylinder 32 may be caused to bear against the plate 41 to withdraw the bolt 26 from the aperture 19 against the action of the spring 29 to release the end 18 Vof the shackle 11. i

transversely of the cylinder, and spring means urging said detent into a recess in said housing to 'lock' the cylinder against rotary movement.

2. In a lock, a housing, a bolt slidably mounted within said housing to `be optionally Withdrawn from a recess let into a side of the housing or extended thereacross into a socket in the opposite wall of said recess, a key-rotatable cylinder revolubly `mounted within said housing perpendicularly to said bolt, a plate rigid with said boltand eXtending laterally in respect to both the bolt and the cylinder, an eccentric pin carried by the cylinder in engagement With that side of the plate proximal to the recess endof the bolt, a detent mounted for movement transversely of the cylinder, and spring means urging said detent into a recess in said housing to lock the cylinder against rotary movement.

3. In a lock, a housing, a bolt slidably mounted Within said housing to be optionally extended into or Withdrawn from a recess let into a side of the housing, a key-rotatable Vcylinder revolubly mounted Within said housing and operatively connected to said bolt to retract the bolt when turned, a detent mounted for movementtransversely of the cylinder, spring means urging said detent into a recess to Vlock the cylinder against rotary movement, and a pin carried by said detent parallel to said cylinder, said housing having a keyhole extending thereinto toward said cylinder and having a slot inthe Wall of said keyhole, said slot being offset from said pin whereby the key must be ro.

tated after insertion thereof into the keyhole and before it engages the pin.

- 4. In a lock, a housing, abolt slidably mounted Within-said housing to be optionally extended into or Withdrawn from a recess let into a side of the housing, a key-rotatable cylinder revolubly mounted Within `said housing perpendicularly to saidbolt, a plate rigid With said bolt and extending laterally in respect to both the bolt and the cylinder,

an eccentric pin carried by the cylinder in engagement With that side of the plate proximal to the recess end of the bolt, a detent mounted for movement transversely of the cylinder, spring means urging said detent into a recess to lock the cylinder against rotary movement, and a pin carried by said detent parallel to said cylinder, said housing having a keyhole extending thereinto toward said cylinderand having a slot in the Wall of said keyhole, said slot being odset from said pin whereby the key must be rotated after insertion thereof into the keyhole and before it engages the pin.

5. In a lock, a housing, a spring-pressed bolt slidably mounted within said housing to be optionally extended into or Withdrawn from a recess let into a side of the housing, a key-rotatable cylinder revolubly mounted Within said housing perpendicularly to said bolt, a plate rigid with said bolt and extending laterally in respect to both the bolt and the cylinder, an eccentric pin carried by one end of the cylinder in engagement with that side of the plate proxima-l to the recess end of the bolt` the other end of the cylinder extending into a chamber Within the housing and there being a keyhole extendingr therefrom to a side of the housing and Ain axial alignment With the cylinder, a detent carried by the cylinder for movement transversely thereof Within said chamber, a spring urging'said detent into a recess in the Wall ofthe chamber to normally lock the cylinder against rotary movement, and a pin carried by said detent parallel to said cylinder, there being a slot 'in the Wall of'said keyhole oifset from said pin whereby the key must be rotated after insertion thereof -into the keyhole and before it engages the pin.

6. In a lock, a housing, a spring-pressed b olt slidably mounted within said housing to be optionally extended into or Withdrawn vfrom a recess let into a side of the housing, a

key-rotatable cylinder revolubly mounted `within said housing perpendicularly to said bolt, a plate rigid With said bolt and extending laterally'in respect to both the bolt and the cylinder, an eccentric pin carried Vby one end of the cylinder in engagement With that side of the plate proximal to the recess end of the bolt, the other end of the cylinder extending into a chamber Within the housing and there being a keyhole extending therefrom to a side of the housing and in axial alignment With thecylinder, a detent carried by the cylinder for movement transversely thereof Within said chamber, a spring urging said cdetent into a recess in the wall of the chamher to normally lock the cylinder against rotary movement, anda pin carried by said detent parallel to said cylinder, there being a notch in the chamber end of the cylinder, wherein a web carried by a key is loosely receivable to permit partial rotation of the key before the cylinder is rotated.

7. In a lock, a housing, a spring-pressed bolt slidably mounted Within said housing to be optionally extended into or withdrawn from a recess let into a side of the housing, a key-rotatable cylinder revolubly mounted within said housing perpendicularly to said bolt, a plate rigid with said bolt and extending laterally in respect to both the bolt and the cylinder, an eccentric pin carried by one end of the cylinder in engagement with that side of the plate proximal to the recess end of the bolt, the other end of the cylinder extending into a chamber Within the housing and there being a keyhole extending therefrom to a side of the housing and in axial alignment with the cylinder, a 'detent carried by the cylinder for movement transversely thereof Within said chamber, a spring urging said detent into a recess in the Wall of the chamber to normally lock the cylinder against rotary movement, and a pin carried by said detent parallel to said cylinder, there being a notch in the chamber end of the cylinder and a groove in the side of said keyhole throughout the length thereof, said groove being offset from said pin whereby the key must be partially rotated before the detent is withdrawn.

8. A device of the character described, comprising a housing, locking means carried thereby, a key-rotatable cylinder mounted for rotary movement Within said housing and operatively connected to said locking means, a detent carried by said cylinder, spring means urging said detent into a recess in said housing to lock the. cylinder against rotary movement, and a key-engageable pin carried by said detent whereby the detent may be withdrawn from said recess, said housing having a keyhole extending from said cylinder to the outside of the housing, and a slot in the Wall of the keyhole oifset from said pin. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. f

JOHN C. GREGORY. 

